Singers, songwriters, activists, and prosthelytizers of the concept of slowing down, the extraordinary group Rising Appalachia has created a new concept of what a touring band can mean to the communities they travel through.

Once the most dangerous city in the world, Medellin has emerged, improbably, from its violent past and become a major tourist destination. But what fueled the resurgence, and what was the price? And in the end, will it be able to hold on?

Headed up by multi-talented singer-songwriter Cindy Emch, The Secret Emchy Society has quickly become a cornerstone band of a burgeoning music scene that’s putting marginalized voices at the forefront of an often marginalizing music scene.

I wanted to write about my heroes, and I wanted to get it right. And because I get to work for some very cool people at Waxwing, they told me to knock myself out. (Photo: Chad Bakta/New York Times/ Redux)

From a ragtag band of street musicians to an internationally touring act, my old friends from the band Tuba Skinny have used the technology today to open their audience to the music yesterday. (photo: Sarah Danziger)

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Nick Fox

Nick Fox is a travelling writer, editor, storyteller, explorer and sporting enthusiast with nearly a decade of experience as a tour guide in a variety of locations. He has travelled to all 50 U.S. states (living in 10 of them) and visited nearly 30 countries across five continents. His work has appeared in The Museum of Americana and travellerstales.com, as well as Waxwing, where he currently serves as the music editor. A native Floridian and a longtime resident of both Chicago and New Orleans, Nick currently makes his home on the road.